Kolkata
12 May 2016
Shayara frantically kept dialing Parth's number which was still unreachable. She was vigorously shaking at the moment, her heart was climbing up to her mouth.
This can't be true. I'm mistaken. I'm dreaming. God damn pick up the phone idiot!!!
Shayara paced up and down the room like a wild lion inside a cage. And finally her whole body felt numb.
Should I message Devrath? On his fb page?
She immediately banished the thought. Devrath had not mentioned her name. But it was clear as hell that the music being uploaded was the closest to her heart ever, the inter college music competition piece which brought her the award five years back.
How can I forget the piece I created? How can I not recognize my voice?
Immediately Shayara's body stiffened.
Isn't this plagiarism? Devrath Dixit might have not claimed it to be his, but if someone else does?
Most importantly, does he know that whose it is?
Shayara couldn't get just anything. The very man whom she listens to every now and then, the very man whom she accidentally bumped accross on phone but didn't talk to, now suddenly took such an important position of her life, and she could absolutely do nothing about it.
Damn!!
She fell down on the bed, trying Parth's number for the millionth time in vain.
Where did he just go and die? Idiot!!
Shayara was about to throw her phone away when suddenly something struck her like a lightning.
She sat up and opened her whatsapp.
" Happy fifth anniversary "
That picture was of she performing this very song five years back at the competitions, winning an award.
Damn!!!!! How I thought Parth sent me this message! No. Absolutely not. This couldn't be him. Never. I'm sure now.
Shayara felt a tremendous turmoil grow within her, when she finally gathered courage to dial the unknown number.
After a couple of rings, the call went answered, and Shayara Dasgupta freezed.
She very well recognised his voice, this time. Listening to his songs again and again, and having him accidentally on phone, had its effect. She knew it was Devrath Dixit on line, this time with her deliberate intervention.
And all she did was immediately cut the call.
I cannot do this. How can I talk to him? I don't know what to say. Most importantly, I forgot what music feels like. I'm not that same old Shayara now. I'm only a money earning machine. What will I tell him? That my mother sold away my fender for some money?
Shayara lay on her bed, sobbing hard. Suddenly the world turned upside down for her, and every sadness that gripped her for so long now, had way through her eyes. She was tired now. Too tired.
The phone began ringing. And Shayara shot up from the bed. She was too afraid to take up the call now.
Don't call me Devrath Dixit! The music inside me dried up long back. I don't know how you came across me singing five years back, but that Shayara has nothing to do with me. She died soon after.
But Devrath Dixit seemed to be a stubborn man. The phone kept on ringing, and went unanswered for the seventh time while Shayara kept on staring at the screen, afraid, fragile, on the verge of demolition.
Finally she picked up the phone while it rang for the eighth time to switch it off, but something just didn't allow her to do so. Keeping aside everything, her fingers swiped the green icon.
Before she talked, Devrath began, with an anxious tone.
" Shayara? Shayara Dasgupta? Am I talking to you? Are you there? Shayara? "
And Shayara here couldn't move. Her lips were sealed, only the gate to her eyes were open, allowing a continuous stream to flow.
Devrath kept asking. And then he realised, that the person on the other side of the phone was weeping. The weep then took to sobs, and finally to a devastating wail.
Shayara let go off her every withheld emotion tonight, to a stranger, who patiently held the phone, allowing her to break down.
Finally she uttered crying, " Which Shayara are you looking for Devrath Dixit? She died. She died. She died... "
That night two souls connected for the first time, through long time wails, and a supportive silence.
*****
Goa
13 May, 2016
Parth noticed Devrath awkwardly silent throughout their journey to the airport. He was returning to Kolkata after a long Goa tour, but he wasn't feeling that bad except for the fact that he had face his stale boss again. Actually emotions were not much of his cup of tea.
Devrath was his friend, but sometimes he found him a way too emotional. Fine though. Artists could be spared.
If he could withstand the immense emotions of Shayara who was far from being an artist, Devrath was even his friend.
At the departures, Parth hugged Devrath tight, who hugged back, but his eyes travelled some other distance.
And his parting message left him even more confused.
" People around you might need you more Parth. While you exist, make sure that your existence makes some difference in the lives of people you love. Otherwise one day you might find them with a slit wrist, and you will have nothing remaining to do about it. "
Having said this, he turned to go, leaving behind a jaw dropped Parth, without for once turning back.
Some youngsters ran towards him for autographs and selfies, but he ignored everyone and walked straight to his car, tall and invincible.
++++
Feedback appreciated
Edited by Penfolk - 7 years ago
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